Galaxy J5 (2016 Edition) Imported Into India For Testing

2016 editions of the Galaxy J5 and Galaxy J7 smartphones from South Korean consumer electronics company, Samsung, are expected top be launched later this year. Now, a listing on the database of India’s import / export tracking website, Zauba, seems to suggest that the potential next-generation Galaxy J5 has been imported into the country for testing purposes. While the detailed hardware specs of the device have not yet been disclosed from the listing, we do get some info regarding the model number – SM-J510 – and the screen size – 5.2-inches – of the upcoming lower mid-range handset from Samsung. If indeed the smartphone comes with a 5.2-inch screen that would be a slight 0.2-inch increase over the current-generation J5, which features a 5-inch display panel.

Coming to one important aspect of the Zauba listing, there are two different import prices mentioned on the website. While the latest set of two devices were imported at Rs. 6,812 ($105) each on January 8th, an earlier set of ten, imported as far back as in November 2015, seems to have cost Rs. 13,625 apiece, which is just over $200 in US currency. Add import duties, sales taxes and VAT (wherever applicable), along with wholesaler, distributor and retailer margins to that price, and what you get is a fairly substantial ~$300+ price-tag for the handset, which will put it in direct competition with really strong-performers that are either already in the market or are about to be launched in the next few months or so. It remains to be seen which price-tag holds up in the end, but the first one looks like the more plausible option at this stage, seeing as the first-generation Galaxy J5 was priced at Rs. 11,999 ($185) at launch.

Talking about the current generation Galaxy J5, Samsung launched the selfie-focused Galaxy J5 and J7 smartphones in India back in July last year. While the J5 comes with a 5-inch screen, the J7 has a 5.5-inch panel. Both phones, however, sport 720p displays, so it will be interesting to see if Samsung bumps that resolution up to a 1080p panel seeing as more and more tier-1 manufacturers like Lenovo and Asus are steadily introducing Full HD screens at the sub-$200 price point. Either way, it remains to be seen when Samsung is finally ready for the commercial launch of the all-new Galaxy J5, but seeing as the device has been imported into what’s expected to be one of its main markets, the launch probably isn’t a long way away.